Bexar launches $175 million San Pedro Creek redevelopment

County Judge Nelson Wolff and Commissioner Sergio “Chico” Rodriguez stand over San Pedro Creek at Dolorosa Street to announce the county's $175 million plan for the creek.

County Judge Nelson Wolff and Commissioner Sergio “Chico” Rodriguez stand over San Pedro Creek at Dolorosa Street to announce the county's $175 million plan for the creek.

Photo: John W. Gonzalez / San Antonio Express-News

Photo: John W. Gonzalez / San Antonio Express-News

Image
1of/22

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 22

County Judge Nelson Wolff and Commissioner Sergio “Chico” Rodriguez stand over San Pedro Creek at Dolorosa Street to announce the county's $175 million plan for the creek.

County Judge Nelson Wolff and Commissioner Sergio “Chico” Rodriguez stand over San Pedro Creek at Dolorosa Street to announce the county's $175 million plan for the creek.

Photo: John W. Gonzalez / San Antonio Express-News

Bexar launches $175 million San Pedro Creek redevelopment

1 / 22

Back to Gallery

On a unanimous vote, Bexar County Commissioners Court on Tuesday launched a $175 million project to transform San Pedro Creek into a linear park that will preserve the creek's role in downtown flood control.

The court then opted to take advantage of low interest rates by issuing $328 million in bonds to complete a 10-year flood control program that started in 2007.

Commissioners also allotted $2 million to complete the $200 million Mission Reach of the San Antonio River. The funds will add chutes enabling paddlers to navigate the river from Roosevelt Park to Mission Espada, possibly in time for the reach's Aug. 17 completion ceremonies.

No tax rate increases were required for the actions, all of which tie into the court's plan to reduce chronic flooding, create economic opportunities and enhance cultural life.

Some $125 million already is set aside for the creek upgrades, and officials are hoping that some crucial rights-of-way will be donated.

A feasibility study concluded the creek, now a concrete ditch, could be converted into several scenic spots that showcase the waterway's role in the city's early history. The project would be completed in 2018 — the 300th anniversary of the city's founding.

Consultant Henry Muñoz III, who worked on the study, said the goal is to restore the creek's “cultural ecology” as well as its ecosystem. He compared it to the High Line development in New York City, which turned an idle freight line into a popular park.

Muñoz said the creek can be “a place of paseos and plazas, a place that's about recreation and revitalization, a place of culture and art, and a place that weaves together the investments of the city, county and federal government.”

“I see the same advantages going along San Pedro Creek — maybe even more there. For entities that line the area, like the Alameda Theater, this is all good news. If you can combine true flood control with property enhancements, that's the best use of flood-control money that I can think of,” Wolff said.